System and assembly for refilling a liquid reservoir

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a system and assembly for refilling a reservoir with liquid dispensed from a dispenser, in particular, but not exclusively, to a system and assembly for the substantially leak-free refilling of the reservoir of a smoking-substitute device with a liquid comprising nicotine from a refill dispenser. The assembly is configured to provide a gas communication pathway through the assembly and physically separate from the liquid communication pathway for venting gas from an end of the assembly proximal the first aperture to an exterior of the assembly responsive to the movement of the assembly to the secured and open configuration, the assembly configured to close the gas communication pathway in the unsecured and closed configuration

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system and assembly for refilling areservoir with liquid dispensed from a dispenser, in particular, but notexclusively, to a system and assembly for the substantially leak-freerefilling of the reservoir of a smoking-substitute device with a liquidcomprising nicotine from a refill dispenser.

BACKGROUND

A smoking-substitute device is an electronic device that permits theuser to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol mist orvapour that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth and then exhaled.The inhaled aerosol mist or vapour typically bears nicotine and/or otherflavourings without the odour and health risks associated withtraditional smoking and tobacco products. In use, the user experiences asimilar satisfaction and physical sensation to those experienced from atraditional smoking or tobacco product, and exhales an aerosol mist orvapour of similar appearance to the smoke exhaled when using suchtraditional smoking or tobacco products.

A smoking-substitute device generally uses heat and/or ultrasonicagitation to vaporize a solution comprising nicotine and/or otherflavouring, propylene glycol and/or glycerine-based base into an aerosolmist of vapour for inhalation. A person of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the term “smoking-substitute device” as used hereinincludes, but is not limited to, electronic nicotine delivery systems(ENDS), electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, vaping cigarettes,pipes, cigars, cigarillos, vaporizers and devices of a similar naturethat function to produce an aerosol mist or vapour that is inhaled by auser. Such smoking-substitute devices incorporate a liquid reservoirelement generally including a vaporizer or misting element such as aheating element or other suitable element, and are known inter alia, asatomizers, cartomizers and clearomizers. Some electronic cigarettes aredisposable; others are reusable, with replaceable and refillable parts.

Smoking-substitute devices typically resemble a traditional cigaretteand are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end through whichthe user can draw the aerosol mist or vapour for inhalation. Thesedevices usually share several common components: a power source such asa battery, a reservoir for holding the liquid to be vaporized, avaporization component for atomizing and/or vaporizing the liquid and tothereby produce an aerosol mist and/or vapour, and control circuitryoperable to actuate the vaporization component responsive to anactuation signal from a switch operative by a user or configured todetect when the user draws air through the mouthpiece by sucking orinhaling.

The reservoir may be either a replaceable or refillable container thatis coupled to, or located in, the main body of the smoking-substitutedevice and that is typically made of a resilient plastic material suchas high-density polypropylene. The reservoir generally contains awicking material in which the liquid is stored but may just be a storagespace without any wicking material. Once the replaceable or refillablereservoir is emptied it must either be replaced or refilled.

Replaceable type reservoirs are typically provided in the form of apre-filled cartridge that can be securely and removably engaged to, orwithin, the cylindrical main body of the smoking-substitute device.These reservoir and vaporization elements may also be integrated into asingle component commonly known as a “cartomizer” that may be disposableor refillable. Additionally, replaceable type reservoirs may also beintegrally formed with the mouthpiece.

In order to fit a replaceable type reservoir to, or within, the mainbody of a smoking-substitute device, features of the main body areconfigured to engage with complementary features formed on a portion ofthe reservoir to securely and removably couple the reservoir to the mainbody of the smoking substitute device and to thereby prevent theaccidental or unintended separation of the reservoir from thesmoking-substitute device. These complementary features typically securethe reservoir to the main body of the smoking-substitute device with aclose or interference fit and the fitting step causes a portion of themain body of the smoking-substitute device to pierce the reservoir topermit liquid to be dispensed.

Alternatively, and most commonly, users utilise refillable typereservoirs. Typically, the refillable reservoir of thesmoking-substitute device is refilled by dispensing liquid from adispenser that commonly resembles the small dropper bottles used fordispensing eye drops. Refill dispensers are preferred principally fortheir low cost.

The ingredients of the liquid for producing the aerosol mist or vapourin smoking-substitute devices vary widely, but typically include waterand flavourings in a propylene glycol and/or glycerol base. Nicotine mayalso be included in solutions intended to fulfil a nicotine replacementrole, without the harmful products associated with tobacco smoke.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the term“liquid” as used herein, may include, but is not limited to, anyliquids, gels, powders and gases together with liquids comprisingmixtures of liquids, gels, powders and gases that are capable of beingatomized or vaporized whether or not using heat and/or ultrasonics.

When refilling the reservoir from a dispenser, the user typically dripsliquid from the outlet liquid-dispensing tip of the dispenser into aninlet of the reservoir by squeezing the walls of the dispenser. Anywicking material in the reservoir then absorbs the dispensed liquid orthe space in the reservoir is simply filled with the dispensed liquid.Since the diameter of the inlet on the smoking-substitute device istypically quite narrow it is important that the liquid-dispensing tip ofthe dispenser is correctly aligned to prevent spillage. Additionally,the user must correctly judge the pressure with which the dispensershould be squeezed to controllably expel liquid from theliquid-dispensing tip. Furthermore, as the user releases the bottle airis sucked in through the liquid-dispensing tip to replace the volume ofliquid that has just been dispensed, but can also suck recentlydispensed liquid from the reservoir and back into the dispenser causingdroplets of liquid to be expelled inadvertently from the reservoir.Consequently, this refill technique is cumbersome and typically resultsin spillages of oily liquid, which has an oily consistency, and so someusers have found that utilizing a syringe to draw liquid from the outletof the dispenser before injecting it through the inlet of the reservoiris more convenient.

A method of refilling the reservoir of a smoking-substitute device froma dispenser is disclosed in US 2014/0283946 A1 (Kribs, et al). Thispublished patent application describes a cap that fits over theliquid-dispensing tip of a standard eyedropper type refill dispenser.The cap has a first portion with a bore into which the liquid-dispensingtip of a standard bottle is received, and an inner annular wall that isthreaded, such that a gap is disposed between the liquid-dispensing tipand the threaded portion of the inner annular wall. When liquid is to bedispensed into the reservoir to refill the reservoir, the first portionof the cap is screwed onto a reciprocal threaded outer portion of thesmoking-substitute device. When fully engaged the first portion of thecap is substantially sealed against the inlet of the reservoir of thesmoking-substitute device to permit liquid to flow between the dispenserand the reservoir and alleviate leakage.

The popularity and use of smoking-substitute devices has grown rapidlyin the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assisthabitual smokers wishing to quit traditional smoking and tobaccoproducts, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute devicesas desirable lifestyle accessories. This has caused concern thatsmoking-substitute devices may be becoming fashionable in certainsections of the population, and that their use may as a consequence beattractive to children and young adults who may subsequently graduate totraditional smoking and tobacco products.

There is also significant on-going scientific debate about thelong-terms effects on health from the prolonged use ofsmoking-substitute devices and the inhalation of atomized mists and/orvapours comprising nicotine constituents. However, it is generallyaccepted that the levels of toxicants consumed by users of suchsmoking-substitute devices is a fraction of those consumed by users oftraditional smoking and tobacco products. See, for example, John H.Lauterbach et al, “Suggested Protocol for Estimation of Harmful andPotentially Harmful Constituents in Mainstream Aerosols generated byElectronic Delivery Systems (ENDS)”, presented at SOT, San Francisco,Calif., Mar. 10-16, 2012 and hereby incorporated by reference.

Nonetheless, the health issues connected with the prolonged use ofsmoking-substitute devices is increasingly receiving negative presscoverage and is the subject of much political debate. One area ofparticular concern is the quality and provenance of many liquidspresently available on the market. Concerns raised, particularly by themedical profession, also focus on the lack of information available toconsumers regarding the use of smoking-substitute devices and associatedliquids that prevent them from making informed decisions regarding theiruse.

To address safety and quality concerns relating to traditional smokingand tobacco products, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published theFramework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in May 2003. The FCTCprovisions are intended to regulate the sale and marketing of tobaccoand tobacco-alternative products, the disclosure of information relatingto such products, the packaging and labelling of such products, and theadvertising of such products. These provisions are binding on theEuropean Union (EU) and its' Member States who have adopted a set ofguidelines for the implementation of the FCTC provisions by consensusduring a series of subsequent conferences. Although, the FCTC did notanticipate the market for smoking-substitute devices, the governments ofseveral Member States have decided that it would be appropriate to adaptthe current legislation resulting from the FCTC and that relates totraditional smoking and tobacco products to incorporate suchsmoking-substitute devices.

In Europe efforts to adapt the existing legislation followed thepublication of various reports and advice received from the ScientificCommittee on Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) on smokelesstobacco products and tobacco additives. The European Parliament andCouncil of the European Union has proposed repealing Directive2001/37/EC and replacing it with Directive 2014/40/EU on Apr. 3, 2014(Tobacco Products Directive or TPD). Although still to be enacted intothe national laws of the Member States of the EU and not expected tocome into force until May 2016, the TPD proposes regulations applicableto smoking-substitute devices that will:

-   -   limit the risks of inadvertent exposure to nicotine by setting        maximum sizes for refill reservoirs, containers, tanks, and        cartridges (Article 20.3(a))    -   limit the concentration of nicotine in the liquid to 20 mg/ml        (Article 20.3(b)).    -   prohibit the use of certain additives in the liquid (Article        20.3(c))    -   require that only high-purity ingredients are used in the        manufacture of liquids (Article 20.3(d)).    -   require that all ingredients (except nicotine) do not pose a        risk to human health in heated or unheated form (Article        20.3(e))    -   require that all smoking-substitute devices deliver doses of        nicotine at consistent levels under normal conditions of use        (Article 20.3(f))    -   require that all products include child and tamper-proof        labelling, fasteners and opening mechanisms (Article 20.3(g)).    -   require that all products meet certain safety and quality        standards and to ensure that products do no break or leak during        use or refill (penultimate and final sentences, paragraph 41 of        the recitals).

One area of particular concern to consumers and regulators is that theincreased availability of smoking-substitute devices and refill liquidsin supermarkets and other outlets may create a health risk particularlyif they fall into the hands of children. Although these liquidstypically comprise nicotine in concentrations of less than or equal to3.6% of the liquid which is generally regarded as safe and merely astimulant, Nicotine in much higher concentration has in the past beenused as an insecticide and in concentrations of 50-100 mg can be harmfulto humans. Nonetheless, solutions comprising nicotine are treated astoxic by postal services and carriers, and so appropriate precautionsare required when handling and storing nicotine in bulk.

Aspects and embodiments of the invention were devised with the foregoingin mind.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention seeks to address at least one of the problems ofthe prior art by providing a system and assembly for readily refillingthe reservoir of a smoking-substitute device with liquid from adispenser. The system and assembly in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention prevents liquid from being dispensed until thedispenser is sealably engaged to the smoking-substitute device and maysubstantially alleviate the problems of spillage and/or leakage whendispensing liquid from the dispenser into the reservoir of thesmoking-substitute device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided anassembly for controllably transferring liquid therethrough, the assemblymoveable between an unsecured and closed configuration in which liquidcommunication is restricted between a first and a second aperturedisposed at respective ends of the assembly, and a secured and openconfiguration in which an openable liquid communication pathway betweenthe first and the second aperture is opened; wherein the assembly isconfigured to provide a gas communication pathway through the assemblyand physically separate from the liquid communication pathway forventing gas from an end of the assembly proximal the first aperture toan exterior of the assembly responsive to the movement of the assemblyto the secured and open configuration, the assembly configured to closethe gas communication pathway in the unsecured and closed configuration.

Physical or mechanical separation of gas and liquid communicationpathways in the assembly may allow an ambient pressure to be maintainedin a reservoir being filled using the assembly. Further, leakage ofliquid from the liquid communication pathway to the gas communicationpathway may be inhibited.

Optionally, the gas communication pathway may be configured to vent gasto an exterior of the assembly concomitant with movement of the assemblybetween the closed and the open configurations. Further optionally. thegas communication pathway may be configured to vent to atmosphere.

The gas communication pathway may be configured to inhibit the passageof a liquid therethrough and, optionally, may be configured to inhibitcapillary motion of a liquid from the reservoir through the gascommunication pathway. Further optionally, the gas communication pathwaymay comprise one or more convolutions. Yet further optionally, the gascommunication pathway may be configured in the form of a tesla valvularconduit for preferential flow of liquid against the direction of gasflow from the reservoir.

The assembly may be configured to close both the liquid communicationpathway and the gas communication pathway responsive to movement awayfrom the secured position.

Optionally, in the open position, the assembly may be operable to permitliquid to be transferred through the liquid communication pathway, andfor a substantially equivalent volume of gas to be expelled through thegas communication pathway.

Optionally, the assembly may be biased towards the closed position and,further optionally, the bias may be a resilient bias.

The assembly may further comprise a first valve arrangement for openingand closing the liquid communications pathway and a second valvearrangement operatively coupled to the first valve arrangement to openand close said gas communications pathway responsive to said movement ofsaid assembly to said secured and open configuration. Optionally, thefirst and second valve arrangements may be biased shut when the couplingassembly is not secured in the open position.

Optionally, the assembly may further comprise: a reservoir portionconfigured for securely coupling to a liquid reservoir inlet; adispenser portion connected to the reservoir portion and configured forsecurely coupling to a liquid dispenser outlet; and the reservoirportion and dispenser portion configured to cooperatively combine toform the liquid communication pathway. Further optionally, the reservoirportion may comprise a first closure member and the dispenser portionmay comprise a second closure member for closing the liquidcommunications pathway, the first and second closure members seated inrespective first and second closeable apertures in the unsecured andclosed configuration and movable from the seated position between to thesecured and open configuration to open the liquid communicationspathway. Yet further optionally, the first closure member and the secondclosure member may be configured to abut one another to effect movementof the first and second closure members from the first and secondcloseable apertures responsive to an actuation force applied to a one ormore of the first and second closure members.

Optionally, movement of the first and second closure members from thefirst and second closeable apertures may be against the bias.

Optionally, the reservoir portion may comprise first and secondcomponents configured to cooperatively define a gas channel open at anend proximal the first aperture and extending to an end distal the firstaperture, the first and second components movable with respect to eachother to open the distal end of the gas channel; and the dispenserportion may comprise a third component movable with respect to the firstcomponent to act on the second component to move the first and secondcomponents with respect to each other concomitant with movement of theassembly from the non-dispensing configuration to the dispensingconfiguration to expose the distal end of the gas channel to provide thegas communication pathway to an exterior of the assembly. Furtheroptionally, the third component may be configured to provide a secondgas channel including an end configured to open to the distal end of thegas channel to provide the gas communication pathway to an exterior ofthe assembly responsive to movement of the first and second componentwith respect to each other under actuation of the third component. Yetfurther optionally, an inner wall of the second component and an outerwall of the third component may be configured to cooperate to providethe second gas channel.

Optionally, the outer wall of the third component may comprise a grooveextending lengthwise from an end region of the third component distalthe second aperture. Further optionally, the reservoir portion and thedispenser portions may cooperate to form another groove between an innerwall of the first component and an outer wall of the second component toprovide the gas channel and wherein movement of the first and secondcomponent under actuation of the third component opens a side of theother groove to a side of the groove to provide the gas communicationpathway.

Optionally, the assembly may further comprise mutually complementaryinterengagement formations disposed on the reservoir portion and thedispenser portion and configured to securely engage the reservoirportion to the dispenser portion in the secured and open configuration.Further optionally, the mutually complementary interengagementformations may be configured to guide movement of the reservoir portionand dispenser portion members with respect to each other to move thefirst and second closure members from the closed and unsecured positionto the open and secured position.

Optionally, the first closure and first closeable aperture and thesecond closure and the second closeable aperture form the first valvearrangement.

Optionally, the gas channel and the second gas channel may form thesecond valve arrangement.

Optionally, the assembly may further comprise a male member, and afemale member configured for securely and removably receiving the malemember.

Optionally, the assembly may be configured for sealably cooperating witha reservoir of a smoking-substitute device. Further optionally, theassembly may be configured for cooperating with the reservoir of asmoking-substitute device.

Various optional configurations of the assembly may be suitable,including a bayonet-type arrangement, a magnetic-type arrangement, ascrew-type arrangement, a slide-type arrangement, a friction-fit-typearrangement, and a speed-fit type arrangement.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda reservoir portion for the assembly as described above and hereinafter.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda dispenser portion for the assembly as described above and hereinafter.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda reservoir portion for controlling the ingress of liquid into thereservoir portion and the egress of gas from the reservoir portion, thereservoir portion comprising an first openable aperture for providing aliquid pathway for the ingress of a liquid into the reservoir portionand second openable aperture for providing a gas pathway for the egressof gas from the reservoir portion, wherein the liquid pathway and thegas pathway are physically separate from each other within the reservoirportion

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda dispenser for dispensing a liquid, the dispenser configured tocooperate with the assembly as described above and hereinafter.Optionally, the dispenser may be configured to be securely coupled tothe assembly.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda reservoir for receiving and storing liquid, the reservoir configuredto cooperate with the assembly as described above and hereinafter toreceive liquid through the assembly.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda system for transferring liquid between a dispenser and a reservoir,comprising: an assembly an assembly, as described above and hereinafter;a dispenser, as described above and hereinafter; and a reservoir, asdescribed above and hereinafter.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda smoking-substitute device comprising a reservoir as described aboveand hereinafter. Optionally, the reservoir may be removable from thedevice. Optionally, the reservoir may be integral with the device.

The features, advantages and benefits of embodiments of the presentinvention will be more fully understood and appreciated uponconsideration of the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings, which set forth illustrative embodiments in which the conceptsof the invention are utilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained byreference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunctionwith the subsequent, detailed description, provided by way of exampleonly and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustration showing a prior artliquid dispenser of the type typically used for refilling the reservoirof a smoking-substitute device;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustration showing a liquiddispenser of the type described in connection with FIG. 1 being used todispense liquid into the reservoir of a smoking-substitute device;

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view illustration of a prior artdispenser bottle;

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded view illustration of another prior artdispenser bottle;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of a known e-cigarette being filled froma dispenser bottle;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustration of the main features of themale and female components of apparatus in accordance with an aspect ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustration showing the male andfemale components of apparatus in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustration showing the male andfemale components of apparatus in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention from a different perspective;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustration showing the male andfemale components of apparatus in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention from a further different perspective;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustration showing the male component ofapparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustration showing the femalecomponent of apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustration showing the femalecomponent of apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention from a different perspective;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the male and female componentsof the apparatus of an aspect of the present invention disposed prior toengagement;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the male and female componentsof the apparatus of an aspect of the present invention disposed in anintermediate stage leading to secure and sealed engagement;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the male and female componentsof the apparatus of an aspect of the present invention disposed insecure and sealed engagement illustrating formation of a gascommunication pathway and a liquid communication pathway;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the male and female componentsof the apparatus of an aspect of the present invention disposed insecure and sealed engagement from a different perspective;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the male and female components ofthe apparatus of an aspect of the present invention disposed in anintermediate stage prior to secure and sealed engagement;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the male and female components ofthe apparatus of an aspect of the present invention disposed in a secureand sealed engagement;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a dispenserdisposed in secure and sealable engagement with a smoking-substitutedevice;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the portion of the dispenserdisposed in secure and sealable engagement with the smoking-substitutedevice from a different perspective;

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view illustration showing anapparatus according to another aspect of the present invention and acartomizer portion of a smoking-substitute device configured to receivethe apparatus in an uncoupled configuration;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus and a cartomizerportion of a smoking-substitute device illustrated in FIG. 21 in theuncoupled configuration;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the apparatus according toanother aspect of the present invention and a cartomizer portion of asmoking-substitute device configured to receive the apparatus disposedin an intermediate stage between the uncoupled configuration and acoupled configuration;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus according tothe another aspect of the present invention and a cartomizer portion ofa smoking-substitute device in a coupled configuration;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus and a cartomizerportion of a smoking-substitute device illustrated in FIG. 21 in thecoupled configuration;

FIG. 26 is a side view illustrating the features illustrated in FIG. 24from a different perspective;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the apparatus of anotheraspect of the present invention and a cartomizer portion of asmoking-substitute device in the uncoupled configuration and a dispenserbottle coupled to the apparatus;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the apparatus accordingto another aspect of the present invention and a cartomizer portion of asmoking-substitute device in the coupled configuration and the dispenserbottle coupled to the apparatus;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating a filling station apparatusaccording to yet another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view illustrating the filling station accordingto the yet another aspect of the present invention, a dispenser and acartomizer portion of a smoking-substitute device in an uncoupledconfiguration;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view illustrating the filling station accordingto the yet another aspect of the present invention, the dispenser and acartomizer portion of a smoking-substitute device in a coupledconfiguration;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustrating an optional arrangement ofthe filling station;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a filling apparatus accordingto a further aspect of the present invention, a dispenser and acartomizer portion of a smoking-substitute device in a coupledconfiguration;

FIG. 34 is a side view illustration of the filling apparatus illustratedin FIG. 30;

FIG. 35 is cross-sectional side view illustration showing an assemblyaccording to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view illustration showing said assemblyaccording to said another aspect of the present invention from adifferent perspective; and

FIG. 37 is a cut-away perspective view illustration showing saidassembly according to said another aspect of the present invention froma different perspective.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the invention is described in further detail, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the particularembodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and not intended to be limiting,since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by theappended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs or as determined by the contextin which they are used. Although any methods and materials similar orequivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice ortesting of the present invention, a limited number of the exemplarymethods and materials are described herein.

It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims,the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise.

All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by referenceto disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection withwhich the publications are cited. The publications discussed herein areprovided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of thepresent application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admissionthat the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publicationby virtue of prior invention. Further, if dates of publication areprovided, they may be different from the actual publication dates andmay need to be confirmed independently.

The disclosure herein is directed to systems and apparatus for refillinga liquid reservoir from a refill dispenser and has particularapplicability to the filling and refilling of the refillable reservoirsof smoking-substitute devices.

FIG. 1 shows an eyedropper type liquid dispenser 5 of the type presentlyused for refilling smoking-substitute devices. The liquid dispenser 5includes a container 10, a dispensing portion 20 that comprises aliquid-dispensing tip 22, and a cap portion 30 that may be integrallyformed with the neck portion 18 of the dispenser 10, the dispensingportion 20, or removable. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cap portion 30is removable and has a hinged portion 32 for permitting the lid portion36 to be opened about the hinge portion 32 to expose theliquid-dispensing tip 22. Also illustrated is projection 34 which isprovided to facilitate easy opening of the lid portion 36 by the userand when in the closed position prevents leakage from theliquid-dispensing tip 22.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a liquid dispenser 10 of the type described inrelation to FIG. 1 is shown, together with a cross-sectional view of aportion of the body 110 of a smoking-substitute device 100 in which areservoir 120 is located. The smoking-substitute device illustrated inFIG. 2 is of the type where access to the reservoir 120 is afforded byremoving the mouthpiece (not shown) and the reservoir 120 is integrallyformed with the vaporization chamber. Thus, the reservoir 120 istypically located in the proximal end 115 to the mouthpiece (not shown)and comprises a coiled heating element 130.

The reservoir 120 contains wicking material 125 for holding the liquid.The outer walls of the reservoir 120 are typically formed from a plasticmaterial such as high-density polypropylene.

Before attempting to refill the smoking-substitute device the user mustfirst remove the mouthpiece to provide access to the inlet aperture 105of the reservoir 120. The user typically holds the smoking-substitute inan orientation in which its proximal end (i.e. the mouthpiece end) isuppermost. Although the smoking-device does not necessarily need to bevertical and slight inclination is possible to facilitate refilling, andindeed slight inclination can aid refilling, angles greater than around20 degrees from the vertical can result in spillage.

Refill dispenser 10 is shown held at an angle of approximately 45degrees from the vertical with the liquid-dispensing tip 22 disposed inthe vicinity of the inlet aperture 105 of the smoking-substitute deviceso that any droplets expelled therefrom would fall generally in theregion of such inlet aperture 105. Users typically find refilling of thereservoir 120 of a smoking-substitute device to be easier if thedispenser is held at an angle as their view of the liquid-dispensing tip22 is not restricted by the body of the dispenser 10.

In use, the user will hold the refill dispenser 10 in an invertedorientation and a droplet of liquid typically forms at the end of theliquid-dispensing tip 22. Any volume in the body of the dispenser 10that is not filled with liquid is typically air, which naturally risesto the bottom 11 of the dispenser 10 when it is disposed in asubstantially inverted orientation. To dispense liquid from the tip 22the user squeezes the body of the dispenser 10 by applying pressure inthe direction of arrows 150 a and 150 b causing the liquid to beexpelled from the end of the tip 22. Furthermore, the walls of thedispenser 10 in the region adjacent the arrows 150 a and 150 b may beinwardly deformed resulting in a reduction of the internal volume of thedispenser 10. Since the dispenser 10 is typically moulded from aresilient plastic material, as the user releases the inwardly directedpressure applied to the walls of the dispenser 10 they return to theirnormal position. Consequently, as a volume of liquid has been dispensedfrom the dispenser 10 into the reservoir 120 the vacant volume will bereplaced with air drawn through the tip 22.

Other known dispensers are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 5illustrates in cross-section a known e-cigarette being filled from adispenser bottle.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a perspective view of a disengaged couplingassembly 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated. The assembly comprises two main components, a malecomponent 202 and a female component 204. The female component 204 formsa hollow cylinder and has grooves 206 a and 206 b formed in the interiorwall of the cylinder. The grooves 206 a and 206 b are configured toreceive tongues 208 a and 208 b respectively and grooves 206 and tongues208 cooperate to guide the male component 202 into engagement with thefemale component 204 through cavity 212. The exterior wall 362 ofplunger guide 210 of the male component 202 is slideably engaged withthe interior wall of the hollow cylinder forming the female component204 other than in the region of wall 210 comprising groove 209.

The male component 202 comprises a flange 214 formed to provide aconvenient abutment of two parts, 202 a and 202 b, of the male component202 which are manufactured as separate units to allow for assembly ofthe other elements of the male components 202 as will be evident fromthe later description.

The female component 204 also includes slots 220 a and 220 b which arein respective communication with grooves 206 a and 206 b to receivetongues 208 a and 208 b respectively. Slots 220 extend in acircumferential direction and are shaped to provide a locking functionby having a barrier around which a tongue may be moved against a bias.When the tongue has been moved around the barrier the bias returns it toa position in the slot such that the barrier inhibits the tonguereturning back through the slot thereby inhibiting a twisting orrotational motion of the male and female components one with respect tothe other.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the two part configuration of male component202 is clearly illustrated and comprises plunger guide 210 and an endcap 230. The plunger guide 210 has a flange 214 b and end cap 230 has aflange 214 a which facilitates joining respective parts, plunger guide210 and end cap 230, together. A helical coil spring 232 is insertedinto the end cap 230 and a plunger 234 extends through the middle ofhelical coil spring 232 so that a shoulder 235 on the plunger 234 maycontact end 232 a of the spring 232. The plunger 234 is inserted intothe hollow cylindrical cavity 236 of part 210 of the male component. Therespective parts of male component 202 may then be assembled.

Female component 204 comprises a main hollow cylinder 229, a collar 238and second helical coil spring 240. The collar 238 and spring 240 areslideably insertable into the cavity 212 of the hollow cylinder 229 ofthe female component 204. A stopper 241 protrudes from an end ofcylinder 229 distal from the end into which the spring 240 and collar238 are inserted into the cylinder 229. The spring fits around stopper241 and the distal end, 243, of the spring engages with an end wall (notshown) of the cylinder 229 of the female component 204. The proximalend, 245, of spring 240 engages with collar 238.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an exploded view of the assembly fromanother perspective showing plunger 234 and details of the shoulder 235.Shoulder 235 includes an engagement surface 242, a neck 244 extendingfrom the engagement surface and plunger head 246.

An exploded view of the assembly from a yet another perspective isillustrated in FIG. 9 and shows details of collar 238. Collar 238comprises a cylindrical groove 254 which on an inner wall 252 supportsdiametrically opposed catch members 250 a and 250 b. Distal end 245 ofspring 240 is configured to be insertable into groove 254 and abutagainst the end wall 239 of collar 238. Hollow cylinder 229 is alsoshown having an end wall 255 with a cavity 256 which forms a pathway forliquid into the interior of cylinder 229.

FIG. 10 is a simple illustration showing that plunger 234 fits into themiddle of spring 232 which itself fits into end cap 230. Plunger 234 isalso shown as fitting into the cavity 236 of plunger guide 210 of themale component 202. Likewise, FIG. 11 is a simple illustration which inthis case shows that spring 240 fits into cavity 212 of the cylinder 229of female component 204 and collar 238 fits over the end of spring 240and into cavity 212. A catch member 250 a is also partially visible inthe figure.

FIG. 12 illustrates the female component 204 from another perspectiveclearly showing that the distal end 245 of spring 240 fits into groove254. Catch member 250 b is also partially visible. Also visible is endwall 255 and cavity 256. Also partially visible is a strut 257 whichextends from end wall 255 to support stopper 241 (not shown). As can beseen, strut 257 does not extend to the inner side wall of cylinder 229thereby providing a pathway for liquid from the interior of cylinder 229to cavity 256.

Turning now to FIG. 13, a schematic illustration of a cross-section ofassembly 200 prior to coupling respective male and female componentstogether shows further respective male and female components assembledand ready for coupling together. Male component 202 has the plungerguide 210 and end cap connected together and spring 232 is partiallycompressed such that one end, 232 a, abuts shoulder 235 of plunger 234and the other end abuts an interior formation 231 of the male component202, in the illustrated case a formation on end cap 230. The compressionof spring 232 causes the engagement surface 242 of plunger 234 to bebiased against and abut partially inwardly extending portion 264 of theplunger guide 210 side wall. The outer side wall 262 of plunger guide210 is configured to be in slideable engagement with the inner wall ofcylinder 229 when inserted into the female component 202. Also shown isa thinner section 260 of the side wall 262 which forms the bottom ofgroove 209 illustrated in previous figures.

The female component 204 is assembled and the catch members 250 a and250 b of collar 238 are urged into abutment against the rear wall 266 ofstopper 241 by biasing action of spring 240 which is entrapped in astructure not visible in the illustrated cross-section. Thecross-section view illustrated in FIG. 10 is also from a perspectivewhich does not show the strut 257 extending from the end wall 255 (alsonot shown) and supporting the stopper 241.

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of the male component 202 partiallyinserted into the female component 204. The slideable engagement ofplunger guide 210 outer wall 262 with the inner wall 268 of cylinder 229is clearly illustrated. Additionally, groove 209 can be seen to be inthe process of being formed between the thinner portion 260 of theplunger guide wall and the corresponding part of the inner wall ofcylinder 229.

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration on the male component and femalecomponent fully engaged with each other. As can be seen, the travel ofplunger guide into the cylinder 229 has caused the inwardly extendingwall portion 264 to engage with collar 238 and force it back againstspring 240. It should be noted that groove 209 extends along theinwardly extending wall 264 in the region 265 to form a gas pathway fromgroove 209 into the interior of cylinder 229. The gas pathway 265/209provides a venting mechanism for air to escape from a reservoir beingfilled with a liquid but also may provide for the ingress of air into abottle from which the liquid is being supplied to the reservoir.

Stopper 241 engages with plunger 234 to prevent it travelling with theplunger guide 210 and forces it back against spring 232 to open a gapbetween the male component 202 and the female component 204 therebyopening both the valve element of the male component 202 and the valveelement of the female component 204 to provide a liquid pathway betweenthe male and female components.

Turning now to FIG. 16, a cross-section is illustrated from a differentperspective to that illustrated in FIG. 15 which illustrates thestructure and arrangement of cylinder 229 and how stopper 241 issupported. As can be seen from FIG. 16, end wall 255 extends inwardly toform strut 257. Strut 257 is not of continuous tubular form but isdiscontinuous to allow a liquid to pass around stopper 241 into cavity256.

Groove 209/265 cannot be seen in FIG. 16 as the groove is narrow and notvisible from the perspective from which the cross-section shown in FIG.16 is viewed.

FIG. 17 illustrates the locking/coupling arrangement between the malecomponent 202 and female component 204 with reference to slot 220 a inan intermediate stage just prior to full locking. As can be seen, slot220 a includes a barrier portion 270 a. When plunger guide 210 isinserted into cylinder 229 tongue 208 a travels through guide 206 a toslot 220 a. The material of cylinder 229 and/or tongues 208 and/orplunger guide 210 may be resiliently deformable, for example thematerial may be a suitable plastics material. Optionally, the tongues208 may be movably biased away from the outer wall of the plunger guide.

When tongue 208 a reached slot 220 a it engages with the slot andtwisting of plunger guide 210/male component 202 and pressure againstspring 240 will cause tongue 208 a to pass around barrier 270 a.Releasing pressure against spring 240 will cause plunger guide 210 to beforced back and behind barrier 270 a thereby locking the male component202 to the female component 204 through the action of the bias of spring240. Such action may provide a “snap-fit” type of engagement. This makesit relatively difficult to separate the male and female components fromeach other and inhibits minor separation which would cause leakage ofliquid from the assembly without closing respective valve elements ofthe male and female components. FIG. 18 illustrates the lockingmechanism when the tongue 208 a is fully engaged with slot 220 a in thelocked position.

Turning now to FIG. 19, use of the assembly for dispensing liquid from abottle into the reservoir of an electronic smoking device is illustratedin cross-section. The male component 202 of the assembly is disposed inthe neck of a liquid dispenser bottle 274. The female component 204 ofthe assembly is disposed in the reservoir of a smoking-substitutedevice, e.g. e-cigarette, 276. Respective male and female components 202and 204 are respectively fitted to the neck of dispenser bottle 274 andinlet to the reservoir of the smoking device 276. Before insertionrespective valve elements of male and female components 202 and 204 areclosed. When the components are inserted one within the other to formthe assembly they are locked together and respective valve elementsopened to permit liquid to flow from dispenser bottle 274 to thereservoir of smoking-substitute device 276. FIG. 20 is an illustrationof the arrangement of FIG. 19 but from a different perspective thatshows the strut supporting the stopper 241.

The slideable fit between the male and female components 202 and 204 isconfigured to inhibit flow of liquid and so should be too narrow toencourage a capillary action to draw a liquid between the interface ofthe outer wall 262 of the male component 202 and the inner wall of thecylinder 229 of the female component 204. In that regard it is not aso-called interference fit but a transitional fit permitting closeslideable engagement yet inhibits the flow of liquid.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate an apparatus according to another aspect ofthe present invention and a cartomizer portion of a smoking-substitutedevice configured to receive the apparatus

FIGS. 21 and 22 (and further FIGS. 23 to 34) are described withreference to a cartomizer portion of smoking-substitute device. Thecartomizer portion may be removable and/or replaceable from a bodyportion of a smoking-substitute device, or may be integrally formed withthe body portion of the smoking-substitute device.

Features similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, 10 and 13 to 15are also illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22. In FIGS. 21 and 22, thefeatures common with those of FIGS. 6 to 8, 10 and 13 to 15 aredesignated with reference numerals of the type 3XX rather than 2XX.Thus, in FIGS. 21 and 22, the apparatus is denoted by reference number300 (rather than 200) and so on.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an apparatus 300 and a cartomizerportion 376 of a smoking-substitute device in an uncoupled configurationand FIG. 22 illustrates the same elements from a different perspective(i.e. a cut-away side view). The apparatus 300 comprises an assembly 302which is similar to the male component 202 described previously.

Cartomizer 376 is shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 with a mouthpiece sectionremoved. The illustrated features of the cartomizer 376 comprise amouthpiece port 382 and a body section 384. Mouthpiece port 382comprises a hollow section open at both ends and configured to receivean end of a mouthpiece (not shown) in an aperture 386 at a first endthereof. An aperture 388 at a second end of mouthpiece port 382 providesfluid communication between the mouthpiece port 382 and both a liquidreservoir 390 and a gas passageway 392 of the body section 384. When amouthpiece end is located within the mouthpiece port 382, aperture 388is partly sealed by the end of the mouthpiece to provide fluidcommunication with gas passageway 392 only. This is to prevent liquidcontained in liquid reservoir 390 from leaking from the reservoir 390.

During a re-filling process, the mouthpiece is removed from themouthpiece port 382, leaving the cartomizer 376 in the state asillustrated.

With the cartomizer 376 in this state, the assembly can be slid into themouthpiece port 382 to undertake the re-filling process.

Exterior wall 362 (not shown in FIG. 21) of plunger guide 310 of theassembly 302 is slideably engageable with an interior wall 386 of themouthpiece port 382 other than in the region of wall 362 comprisinggroove 309.

The assembly 302 comprises a flange 314 formed to provide a convenientabutment of two parts, 302 a and 302 b, of the assembly 302 which aremanufactured as separate units to allow for assembly of the otherelements of the assembly 302 as will be evident from the laterdescription.

Referring now to FIG. 22, which shows the assembly 302 prior to locationwithin the mouthpiece port 382 of the cartomizer portion 376 of asmoking-substitute device, the two part configuration of assembly 302 isclearly illustrated and comprises plunger guide 310 and an end cap 330.The plunger guide 310 has a flange 314 b and end cap 330 has a flange314 a which facilitates joining respective parts, plunger guide 310 andend cap 330, together. A helical coil spring 332 is inserted into theend cap 330 and a plunger 334 extends through the middle of helical coilspring 332 so that a shoulder 335 on the plunger 334 may contact end 332a of the spring 332. The plunger 334 is inserted into the hollowcylindrical cavity 336 of plunger guide 310 of the assembly 310. Therespective parts of assembly 302 may then be assembled.

As can be seen, shoulder 335 includes an engagement surface 342 and asealing surface 380.

End cap 330 is formed with an aperture 378 at an end thereof remote fromthe flange 314 a.

As can be seen in FIG. 22, the plunger guide 310 and end cap 330 areconnected together and spring 332 is partially compressed such that oneend, 332 a, abuts shoulder 335 of plunger 334 and the other end abuts aninterior formation 331 of the assembly 302 (in the illustrated case aformation on end cap 330). The compression of spring 332 causes theengagement surface 342 of plunger 334 to be biased against and abutpartially inwardly extending portion 364 of the plunger guide 310 sidewall. The outer side wall 362 of plunger guide 310 is configured to bein slideable engagement with a portion 383 of the inner wall ofmouthpiece port 382 when inserted into cartomizer 376. Also shown is athinner section 360 of the side wall 362 which forms the bottom ofgroove 309 illustrated in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of the assembly 302 partiallyinserted into the cartomizer 376. Not all reference numerals are shownin this figure for clarity purposes. The slideable engagement of plungerguide 310 outer wall 362 with the portion 383 of the inner wall ofmouthpiece port 382 is clearly illustrated. Additionally, groove 309 canbe seen to be in the process of being formed between the thinner portion360 of the plunger guide wall and the corresponding portion 383 of theinner wall of mouthpiece port 382. Advancing the assembly 302 toward thecartomizer 376 in a direction indicated by arrow A will bring theassembly 302 and the cartomizer 376 closer to full engagement.

FIG. 24 is an illustration of the assembly 302 and cartomizer 376 fullyengaged with each other and FIG. 25 is a schematic illustration showinga cross-sectional side view of the assembly 302 and cartomizer 376 fullyengaged with each other. As can be seen, the travel of plunger guide 310into the mouthpiece port 382 in the direction indicated by arrow A hascaused sealing surface 380 of plunger to abut an end of a tube formingthe gas passageway 392 and force it (and thus plunger 334) back againstspring 332. It should be noted that groove 309 extends along wall 360 toform a gas pathway from groove 309 into the liquid reservoir 390 of bodysection 384. The gas pathway provides a venting mechanism for air toescape from a reservoir being filled with a liquid but also may providefor the ingress of air into a bottle from which the liquid is beingsupplied to the reservoir.

Forcing the plunger 334 back in this manner (i.e. in the directionindicated by arrow B) causes a gap to open between the shoulder 335 ofplunger 334 and the inwardly extending portion 364 of the plunger guide310 side wall thereby opening a valve element of the assembly 302 toprovide a liquid pathway through the assembly 302.

Typically, a re-filling process will be conducted with the assembly 302and cartomizer 376 substantially vertical with the assembly 302 abovethe cartomizer 376. When held in this manner, liquid to be dispensedwill travel in the direction of arrow A under the influence of gravitydown through the assembly 302 and into the cartomizer 376.

FIG. 26 is an illustration of the assembly 302 and cartomizer 376 fullyengaged with each other, with a removed mouthpiece 394 also shown.

Turning now to FIGS. 27 and 28, use of the assembly 302 for dispensingliquid from a bottle into the liquid reservoir 390 of the cartomizer 376is illustrated in perspective cross-section in both figures. FIG. 27shows the assembly 302 and cartomizer 376 in the uncoupled configurationand FIG. 28 shows the assembly 302 and cartomizer 376 in the coupledconfiguration. The assembly 302 is disposed in the neck of a liquiddispenser bottle 374. Before insertion of the assembly 302 into themouthpiece port 382 of the cartomizer 376 (i.e. as shown in FIG. 27) thevalve elements of assembly 302 is closed. With the assembly 302 insertedin the mouthpiece port 382 of the cartomizer 376 (i.e. as shown in FIG.28), and upon application of a force denoted by arrow E to dispenserbottle 374 and an oppositely directed force denoted by arrow F to thecartomizer 376, the valve element is opened to permit liquid to flowfrom dispenser bottle 374 to the liquid reservoir 390 of cartomizer 376.Liquid flow from the dispenser bottle 374 to the liquid reservoir 390 ofcartomizer 376 is illustrated in FIG. 28 by way of arrows 396.

Gas displaced from the liquid reservoir 390 as a result of the liquidbeing added is vented from the liquid reservoir 390 via a gas pathwayformed by groove 309. Gas flow from the liquid reservoir 390 ofcartomizer 376 is illustrated in FIG. 28 by way of arrows 398.

The displaced gas may, for example, be vented to atmosphere (as shown inFIG. 28). Optionally, the groove 309 may be configured to form a gaspathway for venting the displaced gas into the dispenser bottle 374.

FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of a filling station apparatus 400. Thefilling station apparatus 400 comprises a housing 401 in which areformed a dispenser bottle receiving port 402 and a device receiving port404. An activation button 406 is also provided on the housing 401 forcontrolling operation of the filling station apparatus 400.

Dispenser bottle receiving port 402 is configured to receive adispensing end of a dispenser bottle. A device receiving port 404 isconfigured to receive a filling end of a cartomizer of asmoking-substitute device. The dispenser bottle receiving port 402 is influid communication with the device receiving port 404 via a fluidconduit (not shown) located within the housing.

The filling station apparatus 400 further comprises a pumpingarrangement (not shown) the operation of which is controlled by theactivation button 406. In operation, the pumping arrangement serves toexert a pressure on a dispenser bottle located within the dispenserbottle receiving port 402 to expel liquid from the dispenser bottle tothe fluid conduit. The pumping arrangement is also operative to causedispensed liquid to flow through the fluid conduit to the devicereceiving port 404 at which point it flows into a cartomizer portion ofa smoking-substitute device located in the device receiving port 404.

The filling station apparatus 400 may be suitable for implementing anautomatic refilling operation of a cartomizer or smoking-substitutedevice. The configuration of the filling station apparatus 400 is suchthat it may be suitable for location on a flat surface such as, forexample, a table, or desk.

The device receiving port 404 may comprise a smoking-substitute deviceengaging portion (e.g. 204 or 302 b) of a coupling assembly 200 or 300,such as those described above (e.g. a coupling assembly as described inrelation to FIGS. 6 to 20, or a coupling assembly as described inrelation to FIGS. 21 to 28). The other end of such coupling assemblies200, 300, where present, may connect with an end of the fluid conduitwithin the housing.

In an optional arrangement, the device receiving port 404 may comprise acartomizer or smoking-substitute device engaging portion of any othersuitable type.

The pumping arrangement may be powered by an electrical power source. Insuch an arrangement, the activation button 406 may simply be an on/offswitch. In an optional arrangement, the pumping arrangement may bemechanically powered via user operation of said the activation button406. In this optional arrangement, pumping may be achieved by a userpressing the activation button 406 repeatedly. In a yet further optionalarrangement, the apparatus 400 may comprise a pumping arrangement whichcomprises a combination of the above-described electrically andmechanically powered arrangements.

FIG. 30 shows the filling station apparatus 400 of FIG. 29, and also aliquid dispenser bottle 474 and a cartomizer 476 of a smoking-substitutedevice. The liquid dispenser bottle 474 and cartomizer 476 of thesmoking-substitute device are shown in an uncoupled configuration (i.e.they are shown disposed prior to coupling) with their respectivereceiving ports 402, 404.

FIG. 31 shows the filling station apparatus 400 of FIG. 29, and also theliquid dispenser bottle 474 and the cartomizer 476 of thesmoking-substitute device 476 in their respective coupledconfigurations.

The dispenser bottle receiving port 402 is configured to securably andsealably engage the liquid dispenser bottle 474. Such engagement mayinhibit spillage of liquid from the bottle 474 or the filling stationapparatus 400 when bottle 474 is coupled to the filling stationapparatus 400.

The device receiving port 404 is configured to sealably cooperate withthe cartomizer 476 of the smoking-substitute device. Such an arrangementmay inhibit spillage of liquid from the cartomizer 476 of thesmoking-substitute device or the filling station apparatus 400 whencartomizer 476 of the smoking-substitute device is coupled to thefilling station apparatus 400.

Optionally, device receiving port 404 may be further configured forsecurably engaging said reservoir.

The apparatus described above in relation to FIGS. 29 to 31 may besuitable for filling cartomizers of smoking-substitute devices, orsmoking-substitute devices themselves, of both a bottom-filling and atop-filling type. It may be particularly suitable for fillingcartomizers or smoking-substitute devices of the bottom-filling type.

In an optional arrangement, the apparatus 400 of FIGS. 29 to 31 may bemodified to be particularly suitable for filling cartomizers orsmoking-substitute devices of the top-filling type. Such an arrangementis illustrated in FIG. 32.

In FIG. 32, the apparatus 400 further comprises a dispensing conduit408. The dispensing conduit 408 is coupled to the apparatus 400 at oneend 410 thereof. A remote end 412 of the dispensing conduit 408 isconfigured to receive a mouthpiece end of the cartomizer 476 of thesmoking-substitute device.

In the illustrated arrangement, the device receiving port 404 simplycomprises a seat for receiving a non-mouthpiece end of the cartomizer476 of the smoking-substitute device. A port (not shown) for dispensingliquid to the cartomizer 476 of the smoking-substitute device is, inthis arrangement, located at the remote end 412 of the dispensingconduit 408.

The end 410 of the dispensing conduit 408 is in fluid communication withthe fluid conduit (not shown) located within the housing 401. Inoperation, therefore, liquid to be dispensed from the liquid dispenserbottle 474 to the cartomizer 476 of the smoking-substitute device passesfrom the liquid dispenser bottle 474 into the fluid conduit (via thedispenser bottle receiving port 402), through the dispensing conduit408, through the port in the remote end 412 of the dispensing conduit408, and into the cartomizer 476 of the smoking-substitute device.

The pumping arrangement for this arrangement may be similar (or thesame) as the pumping arrangement described in relation to FIGS. 29 to31.

The port at the remote end 412 of dispensing conduit 408 may comprise asmoking-substitute device coupling assembly 200 or 300, such as thosedescribed above (e.g. a coupling assembly as described in relation toFIGS. 6 to 20, or a coupling assembly as described in relation to FIGS.21 to 28).

In a further optional arrangement, the coupling assembly of the port atthe remote end 412 of dispensing conduit 408 may be moveable relative tothe end of the dispensing conduit 408. For example, it may be free tomove a limited amount into and out of the conduit. Optionally, a biasingelement may be provided to act upon the coupling assembly to urge thecoupling assembly downwards toward the cartomizer 476 of thesmoking-substitute device (when present), to configure the assembly in adispensing configuration. Further optionally, device receiving port 404may be configured with a biasing element to act upon the bottom of thecartomizer 476 of the smoking-substitute device to urge the cartomizer476 of the smoking-substitute device upwards toward the couplingassembly located in the remote end 412 of dispensing conduit 408, toconfigure the assembly in the dispensing configuration.

FIGS. 33 and 34 show perspective and side views of a filling apparatus500 which is similar in nature to the filling station apparatusdescribed above in relation to FIGS. 29 to 31. The apparatus 500 isshown in a coupled configuration, i.e. a liquid dispenser bottle 574 anda smoking-substitute device 576 are coupled to the apparatus.

The apparatus 500 comprises a housing 501 in which are formed adispenser bottle receiving port (not shown) for receiving the liquiddispenser bottle 574 and a smoking-substitute device receiving port (notshown) for the receiving a cartomizer 576 of a smoking-substitutedevice. An activation button 506 is also provided on the housing 501 forcontrolling operation of the filling apparatus 500.

Dispenser bottle receiving port is configured to receive a dispensingend of the liquid dispenser bottle 574. Smoking-substitute devicereceiving port is configured to receive a filling end of the cartomizer576 of a smoking-substitute device. The dispenser bottle receiving portis in fluid communication with the smoking-substitute device receivingport via a fluid conduit (not shown) located within the housing 501.

The filling station apparatus 500 further comprises a pumpingarrangement (not shown) the operation of which is controlled by theactivation button 506. In operation, the pumping arrangement serves toexert a pressure on the liquid dispenser bottle 574 located within thedispenser bottle receiving port to expel liquid from the dispenserbottle to the fluid conduit. The pumping arrangement is also operativeto cause dispensed liquid to flow through the fluid conduit to thesmoking-substitute device receiving port at which point it flows intothe cartomizer 576 of a smoking-substitute device located in thesmoking-substitute device receiving port.

The filling station apparatus 500 may be suitable for implementing amanual refilling operation of a smoking-substitute device. Thedimensions of the filling station apparatus 500 may be such that it isportable (e.g. pocket-sized).

The smoking-substitute device receiving port may comprise asmoking-substitute device engaging portion (e.g. 204 or 302 b) of acoupling assembly 200 or 300, such as those described above (e.g. acoupling assembly as described in relation to FIGS. 6 to 20, or acoupling assembly as described in relation to FIGS. 21 to 28). The otherend of such coupling assemblies 200, 300, where present, may connectwith an end of the fluid conduit within the housing.

In an optional arrangement, the smoking-substitute device receiving portof apparatus 500 may comprise a smoking-substitute device engagingportion of any other suitable type.

The pumping arrangement may be powered by an electrical power source(such as, for example, a battery). In such an arrangement, theactivation button 506 may simply be an on/off switch. In an optionalarrangement, the pumping arrangement may be mechanically powered viauser operation of said the activation button 506. In this optionalarrangement, pumping may be achieved by a user pressing the activationbutton 506 repeatedly. In a yet further optional arrangement, theapparatus 500 may comprise a pumping arrangement which comprises acombination of the above-described electrically and mechanically poweredarrangements.

The apparatus 500 further comprises a lid 514 moveable between a firstposition and a second position. The lid 514 is shown in the firstposition in FIGS. 33 and 34. In the first position, the dispenser bottlereceiving port and the cartomizer receiving port are exposed for access,or, when present, the liquid dispenser bottle 574 and the cartomizer 576are exposed for access. In the second position, the dispenser bottlereceiving port and the cartomizer receiving port are concealed, or, whenpresent, the liquid dispenser bottle 574 and the cartomizer 576 areconcealed.

In the illustrated arrangement, the lid 514 comprises a cap slideablerelative to one end of the apparatus between the first and secondpositions. In an optional arrangement, the lid may comprise a hinged capmoveable between the first and second positions.

FIGS. 35 to 37 illustrate an assembly according to another aspect of thepresent invention.

Features similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, 10 and 13 to 16are also illustrated in FIGS. 35 to 37. In FIGS. 35 to 37, the featurescommon with those of FIGS. 6 to 8, 10 and 13 to 16 are designated withreference numerals of the type 6XX rather than 2XX.

The assembly 600 is similar to the apparatus 200 described previouslyand illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, 10 and 13 to 16. However, assemblyfurther comprises an end portion 694 to close an end of the femalecomponent 604 remote from the end that receives the male component 602.

This end portion 694 comprises at least one aperture 696 to providefluid communication between an exterior of the female component andgrooves 609 of the male component 602. This provides a gas communicationpathway through the end portion 694 to the grooves 609 when the femalecomponent 604 and male component 602 are engaged. As can be seen in FIG.35, this can, for example, provide a path for air flow from a reservoirto allow air to be expelled from the reservoir when the reservoir isbeing filled with liquid from a dispenser.

The end portion 694 also comprises at least one other aperture 698 toprovide fluid communication between an exterior of the female componentand an interior chamber 699 of the male component 602.

With regard to FIG. 36 which shows a cross-sectional view of theassembly 600 that is orthogonal to that of FIG. 35, this shows the atleast one other aperture 698 providing a path for liquid flow from adispenser, via chamber 699 in male component 602, into a reservoir (notshown) into which the female component 604 is inserted (e.g. when areservoir is being filled with liquid from a dispenser).

In this aspect of the present invention, the gas and liquid pathsthrough the assembly 600 are physically and/or mechanically separate.Physical and/or mechanical separation of gas and liquid communicationpathways in the assembly may allow an ambient pressure to be maintainedin a reservoir being filled using the assembly. Further, leakage ofliquid from the liquid communication pathway to the gas communicationpathway may be inhibited.

FIG. 37 illustrates a cut-away perspective view of the assembly 600 ofFIGS. 35 and 36 to show the separate liquid and gas paths through theassembly.

There has been described in the foregoing one or more embodiments of asmoking-substitute device and refilling apparatus for asubstitute-smoking device that avoids or at least ameliorates theproblems of the prior art and that addresses the statutory legalrequirements that will shortly be implemented in certain markets. Moreparticularly, there is disclosed one or more embodiments of asmoking-substitute device and smoking-substitute device refill apparatusthat permits the refilling of a reservoir from a dispenser without, orat least with reduced, leakage or spillage.

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or thephrase “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are notnecessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the invention. This is done merely for convenience andto give a general sense of the invention. This description should beread to include one or at least one and the singular also includes theplural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a personskilled in the art that various modifications may be made within thescope of the invention. For example, although helical coil springs havebeen described in the foregoing, embodiments in accordance with thepresent invention are not limited to using such springs. Otherresiliently biased structures may be used such as leaf springs or aresiliently compressible or extendable material. Differentconfigurations of resilient member may be used for respective male andfemale elements. Additionally, slots 220 need not extend preciselycircumferentially but merely transverse to the direction of insertion ofthe male component into the female component such that movement in theinsertion direction is inhibited.

In the described embodiment, helical coil spring 232 has an end distalfrom the plunger abutting an interior formation 231 of the end cap 230.Optionally, that end of spring 232 may abut the end wall of end cap 230.

The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature orcombination of features disclosed therein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or notit relates to the claimed invention or mitigate against any or all ofthe problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant herebygives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features duringprosecution of this application or of any such further applicationderived therefrom. In particular, with reference to the appended claims,features from dependent claims may be combined with those of theindependent claims and features from respective independent claims maybe combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in specificcombinations enumerated in the claims.

Yet further aspects and embodiments of the invention are enumerated withreference to the following numbered clauses.

-   -   1. A system for transferring liquid between a dispenser and a        reservoir comprising:

a coupling assembly for securably and sealably engaging said dispenserto said reservoir, said assembly moveable between an unsecured andclosed position in which liquid and gas communication is restrictedbetween a dispenser outlet and a reservoir inlet and a reservoir outletand a dispenser inlet, and a secured and open position in which saidassembly opens a liquid communication pathway between said dispenser andsaid reservoir through the dispenser outlet and reservoir inlet.

-   -   2. The system according to clause 1, wherein said assembly opens        a gas communication pathway between said reservoir and said        dispenser through said reservoir outlet and dispenser inlet.    -   3. The system according to clause 1 or 2, wherein said assembly        opens a gas communication pathway between said reservoir and        atmosphere through said reservoir outlet and a vent in said        system.    -   4. The system according to clauses 1, 2 or 3, wherein the        coupling assembly is adapted to close both the liquid        communication pathway and the gas communication pathway as it is        moved away from the secured position to disengage the dispenser        and reservoir.    -   5. The system according to any of the preceding clauses,        wherein, in the open position, the system is operable to permit        liquid to be transferred through the liquid communication        pathway, and for a substantially equivalent volume of gas to be        expelled through the gas communication pathway.    -   6. The system according to clause 5, wherein, in the open        position, the system is adapted to maintain a substantially        equal pressure in the dispenser and reservoir.    -   7. The system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein        said dispenser outlet comprises a valve that is actuable when        the engagement means is secured in the open position to open        said liquid communication pathway between said dispenser and        said reservoir.    -   8. The system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein        said reservoir outlet comprises a valve that is actuable when        the engagement means is secured in the open position to open        said gas communication pathway between said reservoir and        dispenser.    -   9. The system according to clause 8, wherein the valve is biased        to close the gas communication pathway when the coupling        assembly is not secured in the open position.    -   10. The system according to any of the preceding clauses,        wherein the coupling assembly comprises a guide assembly for        guiding movement of the dispenser outlet into the secured and        open position.    -   11. The system according to any of the preceding clauses,        wherein the coupling assembly comprises a male member, and a        female member configured for securely and removably receiving        said male member.    -   12. The system according to any of the preceding clauses,        wherein the coupling assembly comprises a bayonet-type        arrangement.    -   13. The system according to any of the preceding clauses,        wherein the coupling assembly comprises a magnetic-type        arrangement.    -   14. The system according to any of the preceding clauses,        wherein the coupling assembly comprises a screw-type        arrangement.    -   15. The system according to any of the preceding clauses,        wherein the coupling assembly comprises a slide-type        arrangement.    -   16. The system according to any of the preceding clauses,        wherein the coupling assembly comprises a friction-fit-type        arrangement.    -   17. The system according to any of the preceding clauses,        wherein the coupling assembly comprises a speed-fit type        arrangement.    -   18. A coupling assembly configured to cooperate with and be        operative in the system of any preceding clause.    -   19. A dispenser configured to cooperate with and be operative in        the system of any of clauses 1 to 17.    -   20. A reservoir configured to cooperate with and be operative in        the system of any of clauses 1 to 17.    -   21. An assembly for transferring liquid between a dispenser and        a reservoir, said assembly comprising:

a first portion configured for sealably cooperating with a mutuallycooperative formation of said reservoir;

a second portion connected to said first portion and configured forsealably cooperating with a mutually cooperative formation of saiddispenser; and

a chamber formed within said first and second portions, and including afirst aperture at an end of said first portion and a second aperture atan end of said second portion;

wherein said assembly is configurable between:

a non-dispensing configuration in which liquid communication betweensaid chamber and said first aperture is restricted; and

a dispensing configuration in which a liquid communication pathway isopened between the chamber and said first aperture to communicate liquidbetween said dispenser and said reservoir through a dispenser outlet andreservoir inlet, and a gas communication pathway is formed between aformation on a body of said first portion and a formation of saidreservoir for expulsion of gas from said reservoir; and

further wherein alternation between said non-dispensing configurationand said dispensing configuration is effected responsive to applicationof an actuation force, exerted via an actuation formation of saidreservoir, to a closure member located within said chamber.

-   -   22. The assembly according to clause 23, wherein the assembly is        configure to close the liquid communication pathway responsive        to removal of said actuation force.    -   23. The assembly according to clause 23 or 24, wherein, in the        dispensing configuration, the assembly is operable to permit        liquid to be transferred through the liquid communication        pathway, and for a substantially equivalent volume of gas to be        expelled from said reservoir via said gas communication pathway.    -   24. The assembly according to any one of clauses 23 to 25,        wherein said closure member is biased to close the liquid        communication pathway in the absence of said actuation force.    -   25. The assembly according to any one of clauses 23 to 26,        wherein said first portion comprises a male member configured to        be received in a mutually complementary female member of said        reservoir.    -   26. The assembly according to any one of clauses 23 to 27,        wherein said second portion comprises a male member configured        to be received in a mutually complementary female member of said        dispenser.    -   27. The assembly according to any one of clauses 23 to 28,        configured for sealably cooperating with a reservoir of a        smoking-substitute device, and optionally securably cooperating        with the reservoir of a smoking-substitute device.    -   28. The assembly according to clause 29, wherein said first        aperture is configured to receive therethrough a gas passageway        of said smoking-substitute device, said gas passageway        comprising said actuation formation of said reservoir.    -   29. The assembly according to clause 30, wherein a portion of        said liquid communication pathway is formed between said first        aperture and said gas passageway.    -   30. The assembly according to clause 30 or 31, wherein said        closure member is configured to sealably close said gas        passageway responsive to application of said actuation force.    -   31. A dispenser configured to cooperate with and be operative        with the assembly of any one of clauses 23 to 32.    -   32. A reservoir configured to cooperate with and be operative        with the assembly of any one of clauses 23 to 32.    -   33. A system for transferring liquid between a dispenser and a        reservoir, comprising: an assembly according to any one of        clauses 23 to 32; a dispenser according to clause 33; and a        reservoir according to clause 34.    -   34. A filling station for transferring liquid between a        dispenser and a reservoir, comprising: a housing; a first        coupling point formed in said housing, said first coupling point        for sealably cooperating with said dispenser; a second coupling        point formed in said housing, said second coupling point        configured for sealably cooperating with a mutually cooperative        formation of said reservoir; a conduit located in said housing        and providing fluid communication between said first coupling        point and said second coupling point.    -   35. The filling station according to clause 36, further        comprising a pump operative to pump liquid from said dispenser        to said reservoir via said conduit; and a user operable actuator        to control operation of said pump.    -   36. The filling station according to clause 36 or 37, wherein        said first and/or said second coupling point is further        configured for securably engaging said reservoir.    -   37. The filling station according to any one of clauses 36 to        38, wherein said second coupling point comprises an assembly        according to any one of clauses 23 to 32.    -   38. The filling station according to clause 39, wherein said        second portion of said assembly is in fluid communication with        one end of said conduit.    -   39. The filling station according to clause 39 or 40, further        comprising a biasing element for urging said reservoir toward        said second coupling point, or vice versa, to configure said        assembly in said dispensing configuration.    -   40. The filling station according to any one of clauses 36 to        41, wherein said pump is electrically powered from a power        source.    -   41. The filling station according to any one of clauses 36 to        41, wherein said pump is mechanically powered via user operation        of said user operable actuator.    -   42. A smoking-substitute device comprising a reservoir according        to clause 34.    -   43. The smoking-substitute device according to clause 44,        wherein said reservoir is removable from the device.    -   44. The smoking-substitute device according to clause 44,        wherein the reservoir is integral with the device.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An assembly for controllably transferring liquid therethrough, said assembly comprising: a reservoir portion configured for securely coupling to a liquid reservoir inlet; and a dispenser portion connected to said reservoir portion and configured for securely coupling to a liquid dispenser outlet; wherein said reservoir portion and dispenser portion configured to cooperatively combine to form said liquid communication pathway; wherein said assembly is moveable between an unsecured and closed configuration in which liquid communication is restricted between a first aperture disposed at an end of the dispenser portion and a second aperture disposed at an end of the reservoir portion, and a secured and open configuration in which a liquid communication pathway between said first and said second aperture is opened; wherein said assembly is configured to provide a gas communication pathway through said assembly for venting gas from the reservoir portion an exterior of said assembly responsive to movement of said assembly to said secured and open configuration, said assembly configured to close said gas communication pathway in said unsecured and closed configuration; and wherein the gas communication pathway is configured to inhibit the passage of a liquid therethrough.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said gas communication pathway is configured to vent gas to the exterior of said assembly concomitant with movement of said assembly between said closed and said open configurations.
 3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said gas communication pathway is configured to vent to atmosphere.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the gas communication pathway is configured to inhibit capillary motion of a liquid from a reservoir through the gas communication pathway.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the gas communication pathway comprises one or more convolutions.
 6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly is configured to close both the liquid communication pathway and the gas communication pathway responsive to movement away from the secured position.
 7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, in the open configuration, the assembly is operable to permit liquid to be transferred through the liquid communication pathway, and for a substantially equivalent volume of gas to be expelled through the gas communication pathway.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is biased towards the closed configuration.
 9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein a bias of said assembly towards the closed configuration is a resilient bias.
 10. The assembly according to claim 1, comprising a first valve arrangement for opening and closing said liquid communication pathway and a second valve arrangement operatively coupled to said first valve arrangement to open and close said gas communication pathway responsive to said movement of said assembly to said secured and open configuration.
 11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein the first and second valve arrangements are biased shut when the assembly is not secured in the open configuration.
 12. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir portion comprises a first closure member and said dispenser portion comprises a second closure member for closing said liquid communication pathway, said first and second closure members seated in respective first and second closeable apertures in the unsecured and closed configuration and movable to the secured and open configuration to open said liquid communications pathway.
 13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein said first closure member and said second closure member are configured to abut one another to effect movement of said first and second closure members from said first and second closeable apertures responsive to an actuation force applied to a one or more of said first and second closure members.
 14. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, said reservoir portion comprises first and second components configured to cooperatively define a gas channel open at an end proximal said first aperture and extending to an end distal said first aperture, said first and second components movable with respect to each other to open said distal end of said gas channel; and said dispenser portion comprises a third component movable with respect to the first component to act on said second component to move said first and second components with respect to each other concomitant with movement of said assembly from a non-dispensing configuration to a dispensing configuration to expose said distal end of said gas channel to provide said gas communication pathway to the exterior of said assembly.
 15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said third component is configured to provide a second gas channel including an end configured to open to the distal end of said gas channel to provide said gas communication pathway to the exterior of said assembly responsive to movement of said first and second component with respect to each other under actuation of said third component.
 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein an inner wall of said second component and an outer wall of said third component are configured to cooperate to provide said second gas channel.
 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said outer wall of said third component comprises a groove extending lengthwise from an end region of said third component distal said second aperture.
 18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein said reservoir portion and said dispenser portion cooperate to form another groove between the inner wall of said first component and the outer wall of said second component to provide said gas channel.
 19. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising mutually complementary interengagement formations disposed on said reservoir portion and said dispenser portion and configured to securely engage said reservoir portion to said dispenser portion in said secured and open configuration.
 20. The assembly according to claim 19, wherein said reservoir portion comprises a first closure member and said dispenser portion comprises a second closure member for closing said liquid communication pathway, and wherein said mutually complementary interengagement formations are configured to guide movement of the reservoir portion and the dispenser portion with respect to each other to move said first and second closure members from said unsecured and closed configuration to said secured and open configuration.
 21. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein said first closure and first closeable aperture and said second closure and said second closeable aperture form said first valve arrangement.
 22. The assembly according to claim 14, wherein said gas channel and said second gas channel form said second valve arrangement. 